Flange wrench



Patented Sept. 5, 1944 FLANGE WRENCH Alexander W. Thom, Brooklyn, and Walter Fryer, New York, N. Y.

Application January 21, 1944, Serial No. 519,124

1 Claim.

This invention relates to flange wrenches, and aims to provide a simple, practical and efficient tool adapted to be used in combination with one or more specially constructed pins which are insertible into the bolt holes of the flange, to turn the iiange so as to screw it on'or off a pipe end or other threaded article. The problem of tightening or loosening such a flange is often a very difficult one because of the tendency of the usual types of wrenches to slip on the flange surfaces because of the relatively large amount of torque needed to turn the ilange, and it is the .object of this invention to provide a wrench which overcomes that difficulty and is always ready to be applied for the purpose stated.

The above and other objects will become apparent in the description below, wherein characters of reference refer to like-numbered parts in the accompanying drawing. It is to be noted that the drawing is intended to serve the purpose of illustration only, and it is neither intended nor desired to limit the invention to any or all of the details illustrated excepting insofar as they may be essential to the invention.

Referring briefly to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section and with parts broken away, showing the application of the wrench to a ange.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the wrench in laid out condition.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig, l.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the wrench.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of one of the special pins adapted for use with the wrench.

Fig. 6 is an end View of Fig. 5. l

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view pivoted yoke member of the wrench.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral I indicates an elongated rod which may be provided with a handle I I at one end, the other end being formed into a fork I2 having a bolt I3 supported therein.

A yoke I4 comprising the two spaced parallel, at arms I5, is provided with a reduced and rounded neck extension I6 having an opening I1 therethrough. The neck I6 registers within the fork I2 with the bolt I3 passing through the opening I1, whereby the yoke I4 is pivotally suspended from the rod I0.

Each arm I is provided with spaced recesses cut into ,that edge thereof which faces toward the rod I0 when the latter is held horizontal and the yokeis freely suspended therefrom; thus a plurality of spaced rows of horizontally aligned recesses are provided in the yoke. The recesses I8 are cut relatively deeply in a longitudinal direction toward the free ends of the arms I5, and the bases of the recesses, thus formed, are rounded, as shown at I9. Upwardly projecting hooks 20 are thus formed adjacent each recess base I9.

To illustrate the application of the device, a flange, such as a pipe terminal flange, is shown in end view at 2l, and it is seen in Fig. 1 that Athe lower edge of the rod In is provided with an arcuately dished out cut-outf22 having the opposed parallel walls 23 and having the roof of the cut-out provided with serrations or teeth 24. The radius of curvature of the serrated roof 24 is similar to that of the flange 2|.

Such flanges are commonly provided with spaced peripheral bolt holes 25, and one or more cylindrical pins 26 are provided to be inserted into the holes 25 to provide a grip for the wrench. These pins comprise a cylindrical body 2l. having peripheral grooves 28 formed near the ends thereof, thus providing spaced spindles 29 at the ends of the central body portion 21 and provided on their extremities with heads 30. The length of the central body I2'I is equal to the distance between the yoke arms I5, and the length of each spindle portion 29 is equal, substantially, to the thickness of the yoke arms.

To use the Wrench, one or more pins 26 are inserted into the bolt holes 25 of the ange, with the central body 21 supported in the bolt hole and with the spindles 29 and heads 30 protruding from the ends of the hole. The yoke I4 is then brought into the position shown in Fig. 1, with the spindles 29 registering in the bases I9 of the recesses I8, as shown in Fig. 7. The rod I0 is then positioned as shown in Fig. 1, with the flange 2| entering into and registering in the cut-out 22. It is obvious that downward pressure applied to the handle I I will loosen the flange to turn it in a counterclockwise direction. The manner of applying the tool to cause turning of the flange in the opposite direction is obvious. The serrated roof 24 serves as an added means for locking the tool and flange together, as is also obvious, a1- though the tool will also function even if the radius of curvature .of the flange is greater or smaller than that of the arcuate cut-out 22. The shackle-like engagement between the pins 26 and the yoke prevent any possibility of the pins falling out or loosening out of position.

A set of pins 26 of varying diameters would be provided with each tool, so that the proper pin gitudinal extensions in a direction toward the' free end of the arms, said recess extensions being rounded at their bases, and a pin insertible into said hole having a central body provided with spindles projecting from the ends thereof and having heads on the ends of said spindles, said yoke being applied to said article with said spindles registering in said recess terminals of the aligned recesses of one of said rows of recesses, said heads thereby restraining said pins from lo slipping out of said recesses.

ALEXANDER W. THOM. WALTER FRYER. 

